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Ortiz to get key test in next few days

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FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz had been scheduled to run the bases for the second straight day on Sunday, but the training staff decided to have him hold off due to some soreness from the day before.

At this point, the Red Sox aren't viewing it as a setback, and the goal is still for the slugger to play in an exhibition game within the next week and be ready for Opening Day on April 1.

But to reach that target, Ortiz will have to soon be able to run on back-to-back days without experiencing discomfort.

Ortiz ran the bases on Wednesday before leaving camp for two days for a personal reason, and then running again on Saturday.

"Consecutive days -- that would be the ideal goal," said Red Sox manager John Farrell. "Physical testing on the field is going to give us the go-ahead to proceed forward. Today was just working off how he felt."

Ortiz seemed upbeat when asked how he was feeling.

"I'm doing [well]," Ortiz said. "Yesterday, I got a little sore afterwards, but they say that's part of the process. I'm moving forward. I went hard at it yesterday. We're pretty close [to playing]."